Gyumri-Kars economic forum kicks off

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS:

Gyumri-Kars economic forum kicked off in Gyumri today. It is the second one, the first one was conducted in 2008 in Kars. As a result, according to the agreement signed by the Armenian and Turkish businessmen first Caucasian joint brand was produced – "Caucasian Cheese", which though in small volumes but is being sold both in Armenia and Turkey. In future not only products increased - Caucasian wine, Caucasian tea, Caucasian honey but other countries have also been involved – Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Georgia, Azerbaijan. Businessmen worked out cooperation programs on their own.

Speaking to Armenpress, director of Gyumri branch of Caucasus Business and Development Network Artush Mkrtchyan underscored the importance of such like forums as they fill the gap existing in the Armenian-Turkish relations. "For years the CBDN is carrying out consecutive work for forming business relations with different countries of the region. The result is obvious: all the created brands are being produced and sold. During this period we faced different issues which we managed to overcome and solve. Business is the sphere where you can build cooperation even in case of having conflicts," Artush Mkrtchyan said.

The forum may serve a good ground for the implementation of new programs and creation of new brands, Turkish businessmen who arrived in Gyumri are convinced.

"We are cooperating with the Armenian side for more than five years. During this period a number of joint meetings and exhibitions took place. I am sure that this meeting of the Armenian and Turkish businessmen will register good result. We must not wait for any Armenian-Turkish protocol, we must work for establishing cooperation in this sphere," Director of the Kars branch of the Caucasus Business and Development Network Isahan Karayaz said.

The three-day gathering has been organized with the financing of "Assistance to Improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations" program of the USAID.